Way Tooooooooo Long

WOW, it has been forever since we posted anything!!!

With the use of Facebook (facebook.com/CBMcKinney1), I've been keeping up to date w/family & friends that way. It seems much easier to hope on FB and check out what's going on in the lives of those I love. It's also much less personal. I've posted photo's & video's of the kids and met new family members since our last post.

There are so many things that can be caught up on... We missed all of '09 & most of '10. I don't even know where to start....

The play went really well. We had sold out shows! It was a lot of work, but it was worth it. Unfortunately, I haven't had time to do another show. I hope to be able to do more.

Sophie & Ethan got their first hair cuts @ the salon. Ann did a wonderful job. Amie does their hair now & they love her.

Merrick has gone from long to short to med. hair now. It's currently a shaggy med. (which I personally like).

An old fashion steam train came thru Clare. I happened to be at the right place w/my camera & got some wonderful photo's! It was really awesome.

Merrick was a freshmen in HS in '09 & he played on the Freshman football team. He had an undefeated season. The varsity team also had an undefeated season & went on to the Finals at the Silver Dome in Detroit. The marching band (which Merrick is in) also went. We were also able to go & Tim's sister & husband joined us! We had a wonderful time w/everyone!!

Ethan ended up in the ER & had to get stitches in the corner of his right eye. Children should listen when their parents say "No running inside". He was fine & there was no damage to the eye itself. He still has a little scar & will for a while yet.

I celebrated my 1st full year working at the paper! Tim was still unemployed & watching the kids. He also was doing some computer repair & web design, as well as looking for a job. It was not easy going considering the job market in MI at the time.

We celebrated all the holidays with joy & thanksgiving, and moved into the new year of 2010. I will try to sum up the year as best as I can, thus far.

Feb. ~ Ethan turned 4. We purchased a new heater. Merrick had mono & when he felt better played basketball.

Apr. ~ Tim & I celebrated our 5th Anniversary! We started w/ Cirque du Soleil's Alegria. It was wonderful! I regret not taking the camera. Tim was part of the show in the very beginning, when the head clown was "working" the audience. From that we hopped the train to Chicago where we spent 3 wonderful days! The kids stayed w/mom & dad for the whole weekend. It was a first for all of us, but so worth it!! While we were in Chicago, Tim & I met my cousin Malissa for the first time. It was really great to get in touch w/family.

Merrick started track & practice for his high school production of Guys & Dolls.

May ~ Merrick turned 15! he also had his performances for Guys & Dolls. He did really well & enjoyed the experience!

June ~ brought summer, the end of school & band camp.

July ~ We received a letter letting us know that Ethan would be able to go to pre-school in the fall!!

August ~ brought Ma Krause's yearly family/friend get together. It is always so much fun!!! A job for Tim!!! The start of JV football & band practice for Merrick. Oh yeah, I turned 29, again =o)

Sep. ~ Merrick started 10th grade & Ethan started pre-school (1/2 days). With Tim & I both working all day, we have a sitter for the kids & then on Tue. & Thurs. they go to day care. Or as they like to call it "Sophie's school". The little ones are enjoying school very much. Sophie is still adjusting to not having daddy home all day.

Now October is here and that brings us health insurance (w/Tim's job!!), Homecoming, Sophie's B-Day (she'll be 3) & Halloween!

Things don't look like they are slowing down much, but being busy is good. Tim works 6 days a week so we all try to enjoy Sunday's together. I'll try to post some photo's soon, but if you're in a hurry to see some up-to-date shots of everyone ~ check out my FB page - facebook.com/CBMcKinney1

New Photo's

No, the following photo's are not of rehersal (and there won't be any of rehersal either, until Tim sneaks back in here). For those of you who check the blog just for photo's of the kids (Steph), I'm very sorry that we haven't posted any since Nov. As Tim said earlier, I've been working 40 hr. weeks and then rehersing 8+ hrs on top of that.

Tim's been great with the kids and picking up the extra slack that my being gone has created. He's a trully wonderful man!!! (I still don't let him near the laundry though!)

So anyway, without to much more commentary here are the real stars of the blog:

Inside this lovely big box was about 6 other lovely wrapped presents.

He had fun with that one.

Ethan & Sophie crawled between the dog kennel and the blanket to riffle thru Merrick wallet. After I took this photo, I let Merrick know that they had it.

Sophie was so comfy with Aunt Steph, she was ready for a nap.

Sophie's first visit with Santa. She did rather well, but Ethan wouldn't go any closer than what was nessary to get his candy cane.

"I didn't do it"
"What's this, huh huh, me next, me next"
"OH Mom"
These Wii boxer's were the closest thing to a Wii that Merrick got this Christmas.

Tiny update

Just a short post tonight to see if anyone is still checking our blog on occasion. As my wife reminds me, I have been terribly remiss in adding to our blog. No new pictures or updates since Christmas. I should just be taken out back of the shed and flogged with a wet noodle. I usually leave the picture taking to Christy because for some reason mine all come out blurry...or at least most of them come out that way. I will try to get Christy to take some pictures this weekend and get them posted to the blog within the next week.

And why can't Christy take pictures during the week you ask? She is rather busy at the moment. Besides working a 40-hour a week job she is currently rehearsing for the lead in a play that the Clare Community Theater will be putting on this St. Patrick's Day weekend here in Clare. The play is called "Lafferty's Wake" and she plays the part of Kathleen. I know she will do a wonderful job and she really enjoys acting. The only downside to the play is that Christy puts in long hours away from home during the week, but she makes up for it on the weekends. I will try to gets some photos of rehearsals and see about posting them as well.

Well, I think that will be all for this short post. We are thinking of you all and hope you are having a wonderful January.

Disco Elves

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Possibilities

Oct. 30, 2008

It's a lazy and quiet morning. The kids are behaving (so far). Merrick is at school, Ethan is reading, Sophie is busy playing with the cars, the cats are sleeping and the dog is outside with Tim.

Tim has been laid off from his job for 2 weeks now, and we have both been exploring the job market. I even had a job interview. It's been almost 4 years since I've had a job. So I feel a little out of date and a whole lot nervous.

Ring, Ring

"Hello....You do....I did.....Ummm, Sure.....Monday, that's fine.......9 a.m., good.........Okay, Thank you."

Honey, I got the job. Looks like Daddy Daycare starts on Monday. Have fun.......

1st Anniversary

We've been blogging now for over a year. Our first entry date was Nov. 4th, 2007. Just after Sophie was born! Tim found this wonderful site and set us up. It's been a lot of fun sharing a whole year of our lives with you all. Thank you for logging in and checking us out.

Merrick's Award's

Just wanted to share with everone Merrick's Jack Pine-Highland awards.

His name & his number (11) are inscribed on the gold plate at the base.

This is the medal they all received.